Man Built a Kayak to Take His Dogs on Epic Adventures

Man Built a Kayak to Take His Dogs on Epic Adventures. Photo: Linda Bahnson

This man man built a kayak to take his dogs on epic adventures because he realized that you have to enjoy life and its beautiful moments together with your best friends. Since in a regular kayak he couldn’t bring his dogs, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

David Bahnson is a retired orthopedic surgeon from Vermont and his passion is kayaking. Since he wanted to spend more time with his dogs, creating a specially-designed kayak for dogs was the logical next step to take.

Bahnson first made a special whole in the kayak for the family’s first dog Susie, and after they got another pet, Ginger, they drilled another custom made whole so everybody could fit in and join the epic adventures.

“When we got Ginger, I just put in another hole,” Bahnson told The Dodo. “It’s like a triple kayak, only there isn’t enough room for the paddlers to put their feet — but it’s perfect for a dog.”

The dogs don’t have any problem in getting into the kayak: “They are trained to get in the kayak themselves on command. They sit down, and off we go. When we come ashore, they’ll stay seated until I tell them it’s OK to get out. They never hopped out into the water, actually. We’ve seen other people kayaking with their dogs, but they usually have them in the cockpit with them. That’s kind of awkward, so this just worked out better,” he added.

Man Built a Kayak to Take His Dogs on Epic Adventures. Photo: Linda Bahnson

“They each have a little dedicated space, and they just sit and enjoy the ride.”

Man Built a Kayak to Take His Dogs on Epic Adventures. Photo: Linda Bahnson

“I love my dogs. I love training them, the companionship. We’ve gone miles and miles of paddling with our dogs,” said Bahnson. “They just really enjoy going places.”

Man Built a Kayak to Take His Dogs on Epic Adventures. Photo: Linda BahnsonMan Built a Kayak to Take His Dogs on Epic Adventures. Photo: Linda BahnsonMan Built a Kayak to Take His Dogs on Epic Adventures. Photo: Linda Bahnson